A megadonor says no to Kamala

Reid Hoffman, LinkedIn co-founder and major Democratic donor, publicly questioned whether Kamala Harris should run in 2028. He called it a "very challenging path" at a Politico event.

“I think it would be a very challenging path for her and it's going to be a very noisy field.”

Newsom makes a curious pledge

California Governor Gavin Newsom told CNN he wouldn't run for president if Harris does. This came just two weeks after he visited South Carolina, a key primary state.

Harris has stayed mostly quiet

Since 2024, Harris has been largely silent on politics but clearly wants to be taken seriously for 2028. She occasionally weighs in on issues like AI safety.

Her allies defend her right to choose

Harris supporters say she leads early polls and maintains support from Black voters and women. They're fighting for her right to decide without elite pressure.

“The idea that she does not deserve the opportunity to make that decision, or that she does not deserve the opportunity to put an infrastructure in place beyond the construct of 107 days, I think is incredibly unfair.”

The big donors have moved on

Harris's team acknowledges that the party's biggest donors, who shape early presidential races, are no longer backing her. The money has shifted elsewhere.

Hoffman represents a key faction

Hoffman has bankrolled new Democratic ventures since 2024, including $10 million for a Texas Senate race. His opposition likely reflects broader left-of-center sentiment.

Another donor wants a fresh start

Democratic donor John Morgan says everything from the Biden administration should be set aside. He believes the money and votes wouldn't come to Harris.

“I just think that everything that happened has left a bad taste, and we need a fresh start on that side of the aisle.”

California creates a problem

Harris and Newsom would compete for the same California donor base. Morgan says they'd cannibalize each other's fundraising in their home state.

Harris still has Southern support

Despite donor skepticism, Harris maintains strong favorability among Southern Black voters. They're the most important bloc in any Democratic presidential primary.

Timing matters in primaries

A former VP with universal name recognition could follow Biden's 2020 playbook and announce late. Biden didn't enter until April 2019, after many others.

Newsom's real strategy emerges

Newsom is likely pressuring Harris to decide early, not earnestly deferring to her. His pledge gives donors incentive to publicly say they don't want her to run.

“I don't know if she runs, but we'll see. But I wouldn't run if she ran.”

Her decision shapes the whole race

Democrats know Harris's choice will have a huge domino effect. That's why they want an answer as soon after the midterms as possible.

She'd run without institutional support

If Harris runs in 2028, she'd likely do so without backing from major liberal institutions or left-of-center donors. This is different from 2020 or 2024.

Could she run as a populist?

In a time of anti-elite backlash, running without donor support could enable a grassroots, populist message. But is that who Kamala Harris really is?